If You Like - Beijing - page 35

If You Like...
Imperial Architecture
Forbidden City Sitting at the very heart of Běijīng, this vast 9000-room palace made up of
hundreds of buildings is China's best-preserved reminder of its imperial past. ( CLICK HERE )
Temple of Heaven This collection of extraordinary altars and halls is the supreme expres-
sion of Ming-dynasty architecture. ( CLICK HERE )
Summer Palace A harmonious marvel of landscaping on the outskirts of the city that fea-
tures hilltop temples and elegant pavilions all set around a lake. ( CLICK HERE )
Drum & Bell Towers Dating back to the Mongol occupation of Běijīng and still standing
guard over the surrounding hútòng (narrow alleyways). ( CLICK HERE )
Gate of Heavenly Peace Chairman Mao's portrait may adorn it, and he proclaimed the
founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from atop it, but this was the largest
gateway to the old imperial city. ( CLICK HERE )
Workers Cultural Palace Not a very promising name, but this little-visited and quiet park
was once an important place of worship for China's emperors and is home to some superb
imperial-era halls. ( CLICK HERE )
Southeast Corner Watchtower Splendid Ming-dynasty structure that rises above the last
remaining stretch of the former city walls. ( CLICK HERE )
Prince Gong's Residence An imperial-style home and the finest example of a traditional
courtyard house, only on a very grand scale. ( CLICK HERE )
Foreign Legation Quarter Imperial, but in the Western fashion rather than the Chinese; an
incongruous slice of colonial-era European architecture in Běijīng. ( CLICK HERE )
Ming Tombs The Unesco-protected final resting place of 13 of the 16 Ming-dynasty em-
perors showcases some of Běijīng's largest and most-impressive imperial structures. ( CLICK
HERE )
Parks
Fragrant Hills Park Superb in the early autumn, when Beijingers flock here to see the
maple leaves turn red against the green backdrop of the hills. ( CLICK HERE )
Běihǎi Park Hire a boat and spend a lazy day floating on the lake, or just amble around
watching the locals at play. ( CLICK HERE )